Environmental effects and varietal performance of cowpea (Vigna sinensis) and mung bean (Phaseolus species) accessions in south-eastern Queensland

Abstract

Twenty-four cowpea accessions and twenty-eight mung bean accessions were tested at two locations in south eastern Queensland ; at Lawes where adequate soil moisture was available throughout the growth period, and at Rodds Bay where moisture was limiting after flowering. The lines of mung bean responded similarly in both locations for grain yield and yield components but the cowpea lines exhibited considerable interaction with location. Correlations among characters at both locations supported the contention that the mung beans were better able to tolerate environmental stress (Rodd's Bay), but were less responsive to more favourable growth conditions (Lawes), than the cowpeas. Late maturing lines of mung bean tended to have lower yields at both locations but cowpeas showed this tendency only at Lawes environment. Implications of the results for plant introduction, breeding, and testing procedures for both genera are discussed.